Guzheng tuner online — 21 strings
A standard 21-string guzheng in D major pentatonic uses D E F♯ A B through four octaves, from D2 on string 21 to D6 on string 1. Each group of five strings repeats the same note pattern one octave higher.
Open-string notes and frequencies
21-string guzheng in D major pentatonic, string 21 to 1. A4=440 Hz.
| String / course | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | D2 | 73.42 |
| 20 | E2 | 82.41 |
| 19 | F♯2 | 92.50 |
| 18 | A2 | 110.00 |
| 17 | B2 | 123.47 |
| 16 | D3 | 146.83 |
| 15 | E3 | 164.81 |
| 14 | F♯3 | 185.00 |
| 13 | A3 | 220.00 |
| 12 | B3 | 246.94 |
| 11 | D4 | 293.66 |
| 10 | E4 | 329.63 |
| 9 | F♯4 | 369.99 |
| 8 | A4 | 440.00 |
| 7 | B4 | 493.88 |
| 6 | D5 | 587.33 |
| 5 | E5 | 659.26 |
| 4 | F♯5 | 739.99 |
| 3 | A5 | 880.00 |
| 2 | B5 | 987.77 |
| 1 | D6 | 1174.66 |
Western Kentucky University Chinese Music Club — 21-string guzheng chart
How to use it
- Keep D major selected, or choose the key required by the score.
- Allow the microphone and pluck string 21 on the normal playing side of its bridge.
- Leave the left side unpressed while reading the open note.
- Use small tuning-pin adjustments and confirm the note plus octave.
- Continue toward string 1, then recheck the central octave.
Help and explanations
The numbered notes are 1 2 3 5 6: a pentatonic scale skips 4 and 7. Middle D4 is string 11, and A4 is string 8. Those two landmarks make it easier to check your place before working across all 21 strings.
Change the key without losing the string numbers
From D to G pentatonic, raise the four F♯ strings to G: strings 19, 14, 9 and 4. From that G layout to C, raise the B strings to C: 17, 12, 7 and 2. From C to F, raise E to F on strings 20, 15, 10 and 5. The A layout instead lowers all five D strings to C♯. The presets follow the Western Kentucky University chart; they keep physical string numbers, rather than beginning every layout on its tonic.
The short left-hand section is used to alter pitch while playing. Pressing it during tuning sends a raised note to the microphone and can make an otherwise correct open string look sharp. Check with the hand released. Bridge placement and pin tension both affect pitch, but a numbered target is not a bridge-position template: keep the instrument’s recommended layout and make adjustments using the method your teacher or maker shows.
Tips
- Check the octave marks as well as the letter; there are five D strings in the default layout.
- Identify string 11=D4 before counting smaller groups outward.
- Wait until a low string’s attack settles before judging its pitch.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 21 guzheng notes in D tuning?
From string 21 to 1: D2 E2 F♯2 A2 B2, repeated through octaves 3, 4 and 5, ending on D6.
Why does a D-tuned guzheng have F♯ strings?
F♯ is scale degree 3 in D major. The five-note pattern is D E F♯ A B, or 1 2 3 5 6.
Which guzheng strings change from D to G?
Raise F♯ to G on strings 19, 14, 9 and 4. Keep the other open strings unchanged for this pentatonic layout.
Which string is A440 on the guzheng?
String 8 is A4 in the standard D layout. At the A440 reference, its target is 440 Hz.
Can I use this for a 16-string or 18-string guzheng?
Use the chromatic tuner and your instrument’s chart. These presets and string numbers are specifically for a 21-string instrument.
Should I press the left side while tuning?
No. That pressure deliberately raises pitch. Measure the open string on the playing side with the left hand released.